If Moses wants out, let him go

It has certainly been a busy few days in Tiger Town. They have a new coach, a new direction, and have secured halfback Luke Brooks on a two-year deal.

Yesterday reports emerged that Brooks’ halves partner, Mitchell Moses, has knocked back the Wests Tigers offer of a new contract, and incredibly has requested an immediate release to take up a contract at the Parramatta Eels.

Although the reports have originated from the same source that said Wade Graham’s contract talks had stalled, mere hours before the Sharks announced his re-signing, there hasn’t been the scrambled denials from all stakeholders as is usually the case following false reports.

Let me preface the following by saying, I am not a Tigers fan, and have no emotional attachment to the goings on at the club.

That said, if Moses actually wants out of his contract, my advice would be to let him go.

The Wests Tigers look like a club that has been a club held to ransom by their players for far too often. Their 2016 season was defined by the very public row between club legend Robbie Farah and then coach Jason Taylor.

It is alleged that Taylor had lost the dressing room, and the club’s major players, who I can’t keep a straight face while referring to as “Big 4” as mentioned in the media, had a big part in his removal. The same reports emerged following Mick Potter’s leaving the club also.

Following the appointment of Cleary as head coach, offers have reportedly been tabled to Woods, Tedesco and Moses. Luke Brooks has signed the contract offered to him, leaving the aforementioned three to decide their futures.

Tedesco, a genuine superstar of the game and a player the club needs to move buildings to re-sign, has publicly stated his desire to play in a winning side. This is bad news for the Tigers, who have only played finals footy twice since their 2005 title win.

If Tedesco is chasing wins, he is as good as out of the club. The Tigers have suffered a horror start to the season, and look at long odds to play finals footy this season. The Roosters may as well announce his signing now.

Of course, it is far more complex than this, and all signs point to Tedesco being re-signed on a long-term, mega-deal, but the signs aren’t great. Tedesco was talked up in Tiger Town for years prior to his debut, and the feeling was he’d be a Tiger for life. I hope that does eventuate, unless he wants to make his way across Sydney and join my club.

Aaron Woods, the current captain of the club, is linked to a monster deal to the Bulldogs, although once again it is expected he will re-sign.

On Tuesday, whilst talking to the media, Woods was asked about his thoughts on the Luke Brooks re-signing news. He is either taking acting classes in his down time, or he incredibly wasn’t aware of the news and acted as such. As captain, I would assume he would have been aware of the info before it hit the media, although the current climate within the club has fans questioning even this.

When it comes to Moses, it looks as though he has no future with the club beyond 2017.

Judging by the reaction across social media, Tigers fans are both angry, and ready to move on. Some have even offered to pay his taxi fare across Western Sydney to Parra.

The Tigers are in a situation here where they can finally call the shots. They should have a member of the board pick him up and drop him to Pirtek Stadium, drop him off and wish him well.

I’d certainly be sticking my hand out, demanding the likes of Manu Ma’u in return, as the Tigers have every right to ignore the alleged Moses request. They could either play out the season and look for a future halves partner to Brooks, or they can park Moses in reserve grade and turn to Jack Littlejohn or someone of the like.

If Moses were to switch into the halves at the Eels, Clint Gutherson would likely shift back to the centres. The Tigers should play hardball and demand a straight swap for Michael Jennings. They need attacking players with experience, and Jennings fills both of those needs.

No matter what the decision, the Tigers can’t bow to player demands anymore, especially a player with only 62 games to his name. It’s not like the club is losing an Andrew Johns here. He may very well end up being a brilliant player, he certainly has the talent, but it certainly won’t be with the current attitude in the current Tigers set up.

The Tigers need to send a message, start a new chapter. Brooks is re-signed, Tedesco MUST be re-signed. Woods is a priority but surely the million dollars a year being reported can be better spent elsewhere. Moses is gone.

Let him go. Better a reserve grader with his heart in the club than a player already planning his 2018 season.